Almost every parent-to-be hits this question early: do we need a bassinet, or can we put the baby straight into a cot? Both answers are correct. It depends on your room, your budget and how you plan to sleep in the first few months.
The short version
A bassinet is small, portable and designed for the first few months. A cot is the long-term bed, usually lasting two to three years. A bassinet is not essential, and plenty of Australian families skip it, but it solves a specific problem very well: keeping a newborn within arm's reach of your bed.
Why parents choose a bassinet
- Room sharing. Red Nose Australia recommends that baby sleeps in the parents' room for the first six to twelve months. A bassinet fits beside a bed where a full cot often will not.
- Night feeds. Reaching across rather than walking to another room makes a real difference at 3am.
- Portability. Most bassinets roll, so baby can nap near you during the day.
- Scale. Some newborns settle better in a smaller, more enclosed space.
Why parents skip it
- Short life. Most bassinets are outgrown at around four to six months, or sooner if baby is big.
- Weight limits. Typically 9kg or less, and the limit is reached earlier than most people expect.
- Two purchases. You will still need a cot afterwards.
- Space. If your bedroom fits a cot, the bassinet stops being necessary.
When a baby has outgrown the bassinet
Move to a cot as soon as any one of these happens. Do not wait for all of them:
- Baby can push up on hands and knees, or roll over
- Baby reaches the stated weight or height limit
- Baby's head is near the top end when lying straight
- Baby is starting to sit
Once a baby can push up, the sides of a bassinet no longer contain them safely. This transition often arrives faster than parents plan for, so it is worth having the cot assembled before you need it.
Safety applies to both
Household cots in Australia must meet the mandatory standard AS/NZS 2172. Bassinets are covered by a voluntary standard, AS/NZS 2195, so the brand you choose matters more. In both cases:
- The mattress must be firm and flat, with no gap wider than 20mm around the edges
- Fitted sheet only, with no pillows, doonas, bumpers or soft toys
- Baby sleeps on their back, feet toward the end of the bed
- Keep the bed clear of cords, blinds, heaters and hanging items
Avoid inclined or wedge-shaped sleep surfaces. Sleep should be on a flat surface.
What we would suggest
Buy both if your bedroom is tight, this is your first baby, or you want the night feeds as easy as possible. Look for a bassinet with height adjustment so it can sit level with your mattress.
Buy the cot only if your bedroom comfortably fits one, you are on a tight budget, or you already have a cot from a previous child and it still meets current standards.
A middle path: some families use a portable cot or a convertible sleeper for the early months, which gives the closeness of a bassinet with a longer usable life.
Frequently asked questions
Can a newborn sleep in a full-size cot from day one?
Yes. A cot is a perfectly safe first bed, provided the mattress base is at its highest setting and the mattress fits properly.
How long does a bassinet last?
Usually four to six months, though it can be less. Always follow the manufacturer's weight limit rather than an age guideline.
Do I need a separate bassinet mattress?
Use the mattress supplied with the bassinet, or a replacement made specifically for that model. Never substitute a folded towel, a cushion or a mattress cut to size.
Come and compare in person
Babyworth stocks bassinets, sleepers, cots and nursery packages, and our Peakhurst showroom in Sydney is the easiest way to judge the size difference for yourself.
General information only. For safe sleep guidance see Red Nose Australia; for product safety requirements see Product Safety Australia (ACCC).